At the European Forum Neumarkt 2024, ÖVP delegation leader Lopatka gives an outlook on the new European legislative period until 2029 – the EPP’s five-point plan
Neumarkt in Styria (OTS) – “We will work with full enthusiasm to make Europe better in order to ensure prosperity and security in Austria. Our guideline is the five-point plan of the European People’s Party (EPP). The focus is on strengthening the competitiveness of our companies and especially our SMEs (firstly), more cooperation for security and defense (secondly) and the rapid implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact (thirdly). Because of the diverse threats, we are intensifying our work to defend our European liberal democracy and the rule of law (fourth) and to secure our European way of life (fifth),” outlines Reinhold Lopatka, ÖVP delegation leader in the European Parliament, and gives a speech at the Europa Forum Neumarkt 2024 his outlook for the coming legislative period of the European Parliament.
“Liberal democracy in Europe is coming under increasing pressure, as the recent formation of two new right-wing factions in the European Parliament shows. The so-called ‘Patriots’ led by Marine Le Pen’s right-wing Rassemblement National and the ‘Sovereign Nations’ led by the largely right-wing extremist AfD are acting as Putin’s accomplices in the European Parliament and endangering our European way of life and our freedoms. We take a massive stand against the division in society that is being perpetrated by these groups and stand for vibrant freedom of expression and freedom of the press. “Only a common, strong and better Europe is in Austria’s interest and in no way a weakening of Europe,” says Lopatka.
“Especially in view of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the defense sector is particularly important. Resources need to be pooled here and the European defense industry strengthened. This saves us a lot of money and ensures that our armies have compatible equipment and can protect us better. This also and especially applies to so-called asymmetrical warfare, such as cyberattacks and disinformation. As a neutral state, Austria can work closely with the 23 EU member states that are in NATO,” explains Lopatka. “Another important point is the rapid implementation of the Asylum and Migration Pact in order to actually create effective external border protection and carry out uniform asylum procedures at the external borders.”
Questions & Contact:
Wolfgang Tucek, EVP press service,
Tel.: +32-484-121431,
wolfgang.tucek@ep.europa.eu